Star player left out of Liverpool’s Champions League squad; fans left shocked

Barcelona target Philippe Coutinho has been left out of Liverpool’s team for Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League play-off first leg match against Bundesliga side Hoffenheim.

The 25-year-old attacking midfielder handed in a transfer request just last week, days after the Reds turned down a 100 million euros (£90m) offer from Spanish La Liga giants FC Barcelona.

The Brazil international midfielder missed Saturday’s Premier League opening match with Watford with a back problem.

Speaking after the Reds 3-3 draw, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said he expected the Liverpool owners to refuse to cash in on the player.

Barcelona have moved for the Brazilian after selling Country man Neymar Jr to French Ligue 1 runner up Paris St-Germain for a world transfer record fee of £198m.

The Liverpool man signed a new five-year contract back in January, which has no release clause in it.

The Merseysiders begin their European campaign with the first leg at the Rhein-Neckar-Arena in Germany, with the second leg clash at Anfield Stadium on Wednesday the 23rd of August.

The aggregate winner will progress to the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.

Klopp says Coutinho “cannot play for Liverpool at this moment” and described the midfielder’s absence from the squad as a “blow.”